Planet Earth is home to 7 billion people, which translates to an increase of 3,500 percent over the last 500 years. That kind of growth can’t help but put a crimp in nature’s resources, which is what the organizers of the first Earth Day were thinking when they launched their rallies on April 22, 1970.

Forty-four years later, one of every seven of those billions will be attending some kind of Earth Day speech, activity or rally on behalf of their host. And since the place’s surface is 70 percent water, La Jolla’s Birch Aquarium thought it would be nice to hold a Party for the Planet as part of its weekly SEA Days series, focused on educating visitors on the importance of marine life and how to help preserve our oceans and waterways.

Hands-on activities, exploration and crafts will be featured at the Earth Day-oriented event, planned for Saturday, April 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The party’s free with admission of $17 for adults, $12.50 for kids 3 to 12, $14 for those 14 to 17 and $13 for those 60 and over. Be sure to visit the aquarium’s booth at this year’s EarthFair in Balboa Park on Sunday, April 27.

The aquarium is located at 2300 Expedition Way in La Jolla. For more information, call (858) 534-3474 or see aquarium.ucsd.edu.

Meanwhile, UCSD has mapped out what it calls its Earth Week events, scheduled from April 21 to 25. Events include a Trash Sort, wherein participants are invited to glean recyclables from waste, and a seminar on the very rare Torrey pine tree, its history and how it figures into our area’s personality. For more, call (858) 246-0730 or visit earthweek.ucsd.edu.

Birch Aquarium to party down for Earth DayPlanet Earth is home to 7 billion people, which translates to an increase of 3,500 percent over the last 500 years. That kind of growth can’t help but put a crimp in nature’s resources, which is wh...